Some older adults will experience age-related challenges, including physical and mental decline. At some point, it may no longer be safe or sensible for your elderly loved one to live at home, at which time, you may need to consider long-term care solutions. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities can, and often do, provide a safe environment for elderly adults to live happily and healthily while receiving the essential practical and medical support they require.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Some nursing homes and assisted living facilities lack the essential resources or staff necessary to maintain a sanitary, hygienic environment and ensure residents are properly cared for. Along with abuse and neglect, infections are one of the most significant issues facing patients in America’s long-term care facilities.
Infections can be especially dangerous for older adults because their immune systems tend to be weaker. Many also have underlying health problems. In addition to preventing infections from occurring, nursing home staff should swiftly intervene whenever an infection does occur. Prompt medical treatment may be crucial to prevent a disease from becoming deadly.
If your senior loved one is in a nursing home in Kansas City and suffered from an untreated infection, a lawyer may be able to support you. When nursing home administrators or staff fail to uphold their responsibility to patients and their families, it is important that they be held accountable for their actions.
Pursuing a suit may also help your family secure monetary awards to help pay for medical bills, moving your loved one to a new facility, and other costs associated with the incident. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 842-6336 to speak with a staff member to schedule a no-obligation consultation to discuss your case with a Kansas City untreated infections lawyer.
Prevalence of Infections in Nursing Homes
The nature and structure of long-term care facilities make them particularly susceptible to infection outbreaks. In many locations, patients live in close quarters with one another and routinely share communal areas for activities and dining. Without proper intervention, there is a high risk a patient could transmit an infection to another resident.
Likewise, staff usually care for multiple patients in a day. Suppose they do not practice the appropriate hygiene measures, including washing or disinfecting hands and surfaces regularly and wearing personal protective equipment. In that case, they may likely pass a patient’s illness to other residents.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reports there are about 1.5 million residents in nursing homes nationwide and between 1 and 3 million infections in long-term care facilities every year.
In addition to environmental factors, nursing home residents are vulnerable to infections for the following reasons:
- Their immune system may be less capable of fighting off infections and diseases.
- They may have existing conditions, such as cancer or diabetes, which can further inhibit the immune system response.
- They may not be as capable of practicing personal hygiene without assistance.
If your elderly loved one was neglected or did not receive appropriate medical care, resulting in injury or illness from an untreated infection, a Kansas City untreated infections lawyer may be able to support you in seeking justice on their behalf. Get in touch with the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to discuss your options.
Common Infections in Nursing Homes
There are several types of infections common in nursing homes, and some are more likely than others to go unaddressed. Some of those most common in long-term care facilities include:
- Pneumonia
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- Strep throat
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Flu
- Open sores
- Bedsores (also called pressure ulcers)
Some of these infections, such as pneumonia and flu, can be life-threatening if not treated. These particular infections, as well as strep throat, are also highly contagious.
Urinary tract infections, which often occur from negligent or improper use of catheters, are the most common in nursing homes.
Even infections that are not life-threatening on their own can be dangerous and even deadly if they cause a condition called sepsis. The Mayo Clinic explains sepsis occurs when an infection causes immune system imbalance. Patients whose bacteria, viral, or fungal infection is untreated may contract sepsis.
Sepsis requires immediate medical care in a hospital or intensive care facility. Septic shock, which can occur from sepsis, kills about 40% of those who experience it.
For a free legal consultation with a Untreated Infections Lawyer serving Kansas, call (800) 794-0444
Signs of an Infection
Nursing home personnel should be trained to recognize and address infections adequately. This includes monitoring for symptoms, practicing good hygiene, following the appropriate care regimen, and using medications, such as antibiotics or antifungals to treat infections that do occur.
Unfortunately, staff do not always uphold their duty of care to their patients and may fail to act appropriately. When visiting a loved one, keep an eye out for possible signs of infection, which may include:
- Increased temperature
- Lethargy, weakness, and exhaustion
- Decreased appetite
- Confusion
- Blood or pus in a catheter bag
- A red, inflamed, or black wound
- Increased heart rate
Kansas Untreated Infections Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
How an Attorney Can Help You
Seeing your loved one suffer is heartbreaking. While nothing can take the place of their health and happiness, seeking financial awards for their losses may help your family move forward from this dark period.
Pursuing a personal injury suit against negligent nursing home staff or administrators may equip your family with the resources you need to pay for existing and ongoing medical bills and the cost of relocating your senior to a better residence.
Bringing a civil suit against a nursing home is not an easy task. It involves a legal process that can be intimidating and confusing to navigate.
Let a Kansas City untreated infections lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm help you seek justice and fair compensation for your loved one’s injuries. This team is dedicated to advocating for elderly adults and their families. Call (800) 842-6336 to speak with a staff member to schedule a free meeting with an attorney to discuss your situation and determine if you have the legal grounds for a personal injury case.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
